Gilead Sciences is being criticised by some health activists for securing orphan drug status in the US for its experimental drug remdesivir, seen as a potential treatment for COVID-19, reported the Financial Times.

"At the time of the request for orphan drug designation, only a small number of Americans were affected by COVID-19," Gilead noted, adding that it had been "making significant at-risk investments to develop and manufacture" the drug as the pandemic spreads.

Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that AbbVie would be dropping its patent protection on Kaletra, another potential coronavirus treatment candidate.

Observers suggested AbbVie may have been motivated by anticipated demand surges should the treatment prove effective, or because higher-income countries would likely follow in the steps of Israel by issuing compulsory licences for the drug to treat coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Gilead said it was acutely aware of the need surrounding the pandemic, and was working to "responsibly provide emergency access to remdesivir while these studies are ongoing."

It added that if the drug turns out to be safe and effective against COVID-19, "we are committed to making remdesivir both accessible and affordable to governments and patients around the world."